refractive

adjective

re·​frac·​tive ri-ˈfrak-tiv 

1

: having power to refract

2

: relating or due to refraction

refractively adverb

refractiveness noun

refractivity

ˌrē-ˌfrak-ˈti-və-tē 

ri-

noun

Examples of refractive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Services include cataract surgery, LASIK and refractive surgery, glaucoma management, retinal and vitreous care, corneal transplants, oculoplastic surgery, neuro-ophthalmology and pediatric ophthalmology. —Community's Choice Awards, Oklahoman, 7 Mar. 2026

Individual providers also offer specialized expertise, including advanced contact lens fitting for complex corneal conditions and refractive surgery options, allowing patients to receive advanced care without leaving the region. —Community's Choice Awards, jsonline.com, 7 Mar. 2026

The condition is caused by a refractive error, meaning the eye’s focusing system doesn’t bring light to the correct spot. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

Both are refractive, cross-cultural, still-thriving artifacts of the 1960s and ’70s. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing refractive

• refractive index

Rhymes for refractive

• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Medical Definition

refractive

adjective

re·​frac·​tive ri-ˈfrak-tiv 

1

: having power to refract

a refractive lens

2

: relating to or due to refraction

refractive phenomena

refractive dispersion of light

refractively adverb